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Solar Electric

Affinity Energy solar electric (photovoltaic) power systems for both residential and commercial are clean, silent, and have no moving parts. In utility-interconnected applications, they reduce the need to move power over aging transmission lines. Producing solar electricity power at, or near, where it is being used and sending that excess power into the grid from thousands of decentralized points is helping change the way power is produced and distributed.

Solar electric systems usually consist of:

Solar electric panels to generate DC electricity directly from sunlight.
Inverter to convert the DC electricity produced by the panels to AC electricity.

In applications where you are not connected to the grid or want back-up power, batteries are also required.

The biggest cost savings from installing a solar electric system will be realized in future years, especially with the rising rates of electricity, which has been averaging out to more than 6% a year.

Beginning residential installation.

For a typical newer home, you would spend very little initially to pay for the system. By financing it into your home mortgage loan you may be able to save even more. Solar is one of the best investments for you and the environment that you may ever make.

Affinity Energy-designed systems require approximately 100 sq. feet of panel area to generate 1 kW of electricity. An average 2,500 sq. ft. single-family home uses about 5,000 kWh of electricity per year; a 3.5 kW system will generate nearly all of the electricity required for such a home on an annual basis.

California-Based Incentives

Since Affinity Energy is based in California, we are well-versed in tax credits and rebates, as well as PG&E costs. We can answer your specific questions about rate structures and more. Some specifics include:

§ Cash Rebate and Tax Credit—Affinity Energy, upon receiving a completed contract agreement and deposit, will submit a reservation for your solar electric system. Once the California Energy Commission (CEC) receives an application for an eligible system, they will send Affinity Energy a claim form showing the rebate dollar amount reserved in your name. Once your system has been permitted, installed, operating with the utility signed off, a claim form with your final inspection approval will be submitted to the CEC for payment. In approximately 90 days the CEC will mail the rebate check. The CEC program currently offers $2.80 per watt rebate; additionally the federal government offers a 30% tax credit. With the federal program residential systems have a cap of $2,000. while businesses have no cap. Solar electric systems are also exempt from property tax in California.

Final residential installation.

§ Penalty Zones—During the California energy crisis, the utility companies adopted a complex tiered electric rate structure. While baseline quantities vary in California from region to region (California is divided into approximately 16 different baseline climate zones), the baseline range for residential customers in the PG&E service area is between 300-350 kWh per month, which is approximately 60% of the average monthly use in Sonoma County. The baseline rate is the lowest available rate. Residential customers who exceed their baseline quantities face steep penalty rates. A solar PV system takes off the highest tiers first.

§ E-Net Metering Benefits—E-Net metering measures the difference in the electricity you buy from the utility and the electricity you generate with your solar electric system. When you are making more electricity than you are using, like typical summer days, your extra electricity automatically gets metered back out (i.e., sold) to the utility grid. You may receive credit for this power at the same rate they sell it to you. E-Net metering allows you to use the electric utility grid like a bank. You put electricity into it that you don't use immediately, and you can withdraw the same amount later at no cost to you.

There are many ways to apply solar to your energy needs. For more information on your residential or commercial property, please Contact Us.